225BatonRouge.com

Best acoustic artist

CHRIS LEBLANC

Chris LeBlanc shreds with his blues-rock trio, but he may be even better in his solo acoustic performances. Not one to go wimpy with a six-string, LeBlanc props a wicked slide guitar version of Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks,” and a haunting take on The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” alongside his own acoustic compositions like the gospel-tinged “Deliver Me” and the stately “Sister, Let the Music Play.” chrisleblancband.com

Meet the Benjy Davis Project: Davis (left), Michael Galasso, Jonathan Lawhun, Anthony Rushing, Nic Capdevielle and Brett Bolden.

Best rock band

BENJY DAVIS PROJECT

The title of the band’s debut album way back in 2002 stated in the simplest terms Benjy Davis’ goal for the group: to be More Than Local. And now they are, regularly touring Texas and the Southeastern Conference, while Davis pens direct heart-on-sleeve lyrics that remain just out of reach: “Don’t beat around the bush, if you know what I mean,” he sings on “New Orleans.” “Cause I trust women, but not on Bourbon Street.” benjydavisproject.com

Tabby Thomas at home with his guitar.

Best blues artist

TABBY THOMAS

The Baton Rouge swamp blues legend’s distinct raspy voice still reigns. Although a stroke has slowed him down some, the 78-year-old made a welcomed appearance with Buddy Guy at this year’s FestForAll, and the Tabby’s Blues Box radio hour on 90.3 WBRH is a Baton Rouge radio original.

Nashville Star launched David St. Romain's career this year.

Best country artist

DAVID ST. ROMAIN

Just how much love does his hometown have for Nashville Star finalist David St. Romain? When his father performed with the V-Tones at The Varsity during his run on the hit TV series, the crowd gave the senior St. Romain a standing ovation. A meeting with Gov. Kathleen Blanco and a homecoming concert at the PMAC later, and St. Romain continues to convert the masses with his popular spin on smooth, Creole country. davidstromain.com

Best jazz band

REBIRTH BRASS BAND

OK, so perhaps it’s a stretch to categorize this popular brass band as jazz—after all, they even label themselves as a “funk and jam band.” But their music meets some crucial jazz criteria: they’re syncopated, funky, full of horn improvisation, and they sound like New Orleans. The nine-piece band is popular all over the world, and has built a strong enough Baton Rouge following to grab more votes than anyone else in the jazz category thanks to regular gigs at Chelsea’s. They don’t just play, they blare—and if you don’t start tapping your feet, call a doctor because something is terribly wrong. myspace.com/rebirthbrassband

Best cover band

THE MOLLY RINGWALDS

If you’re going to start a tribute band to a decade, why stop at imitating the era’s music? From the faux Spinal Tap-like biographies to the Devo, Pee Wee Herman and Karate Kid get-ups, The Molly Ringwalds is like a musical I Love the ’80s road show, or the soundtrack to your never-ending feud with the Rubik’s Cube. In short, it’s just what you needed. themollyringwalds.com

Best rap artist

LIL’ BOOSIE

Last year his hypnotic, synthy single “Zoom” caused an Internet sensation and a new dance—that would be “The Ratchet” for the uninitiated. But with solo debut Bad Azz and latest track “Wipe Me Down” Boosie has stopped trying for lyrical acrobatics in favor of easier flowing with passion and sarcasm, tones that drip with attitude like honey over the comb of life on the streets of Baton Rouge. Yeah, the ones you probably haven’t driven down. myspace.com/lilboosie

9-year-olds Caroline DeJohn (right) and Caroline Magee play in the fountains in front of the Shaw Center on a Thursday morning, just after finishing the third grade at St. Thomas More Catholic School.

Best new architecture

SHAW CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Sure it opened in 2005, but let’s not get picky. The baby of Boston-based Schwartz/Silver Architects, New Orleans-based Eskew+Dumez+Ripple and myriad others, the channel glass structure is our own “Bilbao on the Bayou” sans the Gehry randomness. It’s big. It’s bold. And it sticks out in a good way. If Mark Twain could see our riverfront now, maybe he’d have something nice to say. 346-5001, shawcenter.org

Best radio station

THE EAGLE 98.1 FM

If waking up to “a whole lot o’ honkies” on the Walton and Johnson morning show isn’t enough to stay tuned to Guaranty Broadcasting’s WDGL-FM station, then what about 10-in-a-row classic rock hits from the Rolling Stones, Boston or Creedence Clearwater Revival? Still not enough? The station has a daily $98 “License to Win” giveaway, and is the home of the LSU Sports Radio Network. And it’s your favorite. 499-9898, eagle981.com

Rhea Gary wins admirers with her bold impressionistic works.

Best painter or sculptor

RHEA GARY

Bold impressionistic strokes in bright fuchsias, blazing ochres and soothing azures are the cornerstone of Rhea Gary’s Wetlands series. A student of Wolf Kahn, Gary marries paint to canvas to capture the brilliance and splendor of Louisiana’s bayous and marshland. Widespread distribution of her work has made fans the world over of her masterful Louisiana landscapes, and several of Gary’s originals are in collections in Europe, Asia and Australia. rheagary.com